grapes of wrath

about 10 years ago i had a 9th grade class for an english elective course. even though i taught science, i had the right degree and my program mandated it. now, bear in mind that the schools that i have always worked for are entirely special ed and in bed-stuy brooklyn. comprised of entirely emotionally and behaviorally disturbed kids. in other words, they are not easy.

despite its lack of overt hip-hop/sex appeal, the complexity of the text and their complete lack of grade-level reading skills, i decided that we were going to tackle the '"grapes of wrath".

i was the butt of uproarious laughter when i asked if we might have it in the book room. so i bought 12 used copies with my own money and off we went. the kids rolled eyes at first, told me "to fuck off that they weren't reading a book with so many fucking words", threw books across the room, etc. Days of resistance, but eventually was able to start. Not to stand and deliver here but, long story short, kids got into it, and actually completed reports (with hand-over-hand assistance) that were remarkable for "them".

So, I decide that I will show them the original movie. Kids are pumped to be able to stare at a screen instead of doing anything else, I am nervous due to the film being black and white and maybe too boring.

Opening credits pass, groans, "this sucks, i'm fucking out of here". Then a few silent moments. On edge of seat, I race, "maybe they like it? yay, for me, i'm a great teacher!"

Then......."what the fuck?!!! These people are WHITE??!!!! We've been reading about a WHITE family for two months? !!!! get the fuck outta here. only a family o'niggaz would travel in a (insert corny accent here) JALOPY looking for money.......I'm outta here, this is bullshit....."

Stop. Open. Power.